New London County Coronavirus Transmission 'High': CDC

LEDYARD, CT — The discovery of the omicron coronavirus variant has caused a new wave of anxiety among scientists and world leaders. The heavily mutated variant has been spotted in at least five states.

“This variant is a cause for concern, not a cause for panic,” President Joe Biden said in prepared remarks Monday. “We have the best vaccine in the world, the best medicines, the best scientists. And we’re learning more every single day.”

The delta variant continues to be the dominant strain in the U.S.

New London County has a "high" level of coronavirus transmission as of Dec. 3, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. There were 248.9 new cases per 100,000 residents between Nov. 25 and Dec. 1.

The positive test rate was 6.3 percent between Nov. 23-29, which was a 1.2 percentage point increase from the previous seven days.

There were 660 recorded cases in New London County between Nov. 25 and Dec. 1, which is 0 percent higher than the previous seven days.

It will take a couple of weeks before scientists know more about the new variant, such as whether it is more contagious or if current vaccines and treatments are less effective against it, according to the World Health Organization.

Contingency plans are being developed to modify vaccines against the variant if it is warranted, Biden said. In the meantime, Biden encouraged people to get vaccinated if they haven't done so already. He also encouraged the vaccinated to get a booster shot if they are 18 and older, and it's been at least six months since their last dose.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that fully vaccinated people wear masks indoors in public if they live in an area with “substantial” or “high” transmission levels. Those who aren't fully vaccinated are urged to wear masks in those settings, regardless of transmission level.

Transmission levels are determined either by new cases per 100,000 residents in the last seven days or the percentage of coronavirus tests that come back positive; the transmission level is determined by whichever category is the highest. Around 69 percent of U.S. counties are in the "high" transmission level and 14 percent are "substantial," according to the CDC.

Thresholds

New cases per 100,000 in past seven days

• Low: 0-9.99
• Moderate: 10-49.99
• Substantial: 50-99.99
• High: >100

Positive test rate

• Low: <5
• Moderate: 5-7.99
• Substantial: 8-9.99
• High: >10

The CDC also recommends indoor public mask use for people with compromised immune systems or other high-risk factors, regardless of vaccination status. People who live with someone at higher risk for coronavirus complications should also consider using masks.

Editor’s note: This post was automatically generated using data from the CDC. State and local health department data may differ from CDC figures due to different calculation methods. Feedback can be sent to [email protected].